Cabot, Arkansas – The Cabot Justice Center has earned regional recognition for its interior design, receiving an award from the South-Central Section of the American Society of Interior Designers (ASID). The accolade reflects both the aesthetic appeal and functional design of the renovated facility, which consolidates essential municipal services under one roof for the benefit of the community.
City officials emphasized that the award highlights the thoughtful planning behind the project, which transformed an abandoned shopping center into a 44,000-square-foot civic hub. Funded through a 2021 voter-approved municipal bond initiative, the Justice Center now houses the Cabot Police Department, city administrative meeting spaces, Lonoke County 911 dispatch, the District Court, and the city’s Connect2First fiber utility.
“The Justice Center was designed to bring critical municipal services together in a way that improves efficiency and serves the public,” said Chad Young, CEO of WDD Architects, which handled the project’s design. “We’re honored to see the design recognized at the regional level.”
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The renovation involved multiple partners, with Baldwin & Shell leading the interior construction, Nabholz handling exterior work, and engineering contributions from Halff, HSA, and structural engineer Jacques Pierini. The result is a modern, functional facility that balances operational efficiency with a welcoming environment for residents and staff.
A key feature of the Justice Center is its multi-use meeting room. The space hosts City Council sessions, Planning Commission meetings, District Court proceedings, and other public functions, offering a flexible venue that meets the varied needs of the community. This adaptability was a central focus of the design, allowing the facility to serve as more than just an administrative building.
Mayor Ken Kincade praised the recognition, noting the city’s dedication to delivering high-quality public infrastructure. “The recognition highlights the City’s commitment to delivering high-quality public facilities that are a good steward of tax-payers’ dollars,” Kincade said. He stressed that the award not only honors the architects and construction teams but also underscores the city’s broader goal of providing efficient, accessible, and attractive public spaces.
Representatives from WDD Architects are scheduled to formally present the ASID award during the Cabot City Council meeting on Monday at 6:30 p.m. at City Hall. City leaders and residents alike are expected to celebrate the achievement, which serves as a testament to the collaborative effort and careful planning that went into the Justice Center’s transformation.
The project demonstrates how creative design and thoughtful construction can repurpose existing spaces to meet modern municipal needs while creating a functional and visually appealing environment. For Cabot, the Justice Center stands as a model of effective civic planning, combining public service, community access, and award-winning design under one roof.
